HEADERB.J. MULLENSCenterThe Ohio State University Buckeyes#327:00.1-277Columbus, OhioCanal Winchester High School

OVERVIEWHead coach Thad Matta must feel that his recruiting starts at the local "Rent-A-Center," as for the third time in the past five years a highly touted recruit at the pivot position has left for the NBA after just one college season. Greg Oden was the first to bolt for the professional ranks, followed by Kosata Koufos last season. Now, Mullens plans on joining those two Buckeyes alumni by becoming a first-round draft pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Many scouts agree Mullens is the least prepared of this trio, as far as being ready for the grind it takes to play at the next level. Despite not starting in his only season at Ohio State, the freshman felt that the time was right to enter the pro ranks, signing with an agent and ending his collegiate eligibility.

Matta said it is difficult to see Mullens leave the program so soon. "I am saddened to lose B.J.," Matta stated. "On one hand, I feel another year in school would have allowed him to develop into the player I know he can be and an additional season would have been beneficial to him both personally and monetarily in the long run. On the other hand, I am empathetic to the reasons why he has chosen to leave at such an early point in his career. I wish him nothing but the best and know he will always be a part of our basketball family at Ohio State."

Mullens said he enjoyed his time at Ohio State. "After long consideration I have decided to enter my name in the 2009 NBA Draft," Mullens noted. "This was not an easy choice because I love The Ohio State University but the many positive reasons for moving on outweigh the many good reasons for staying. I would like to thank The Ohio State University, its faculty and staff, along with Coach Matta for the opportunity to attend school and play basketball here. I would also like to thank all my Buckeye coaches and teammates for their guidance and friendship, not only this season, but also in the time since 2004 when I first committed to play at OSU."

Mullens, a Columbus, Ohio, native, is the fifth Ohio State freshman to declare for the draft in the last three seasons. Oden (No. 1 pick/2007), Mike Conley Jr. (No. 4/2007), Daequan Cook (No. 21/2007) and Koufos (No. 23/2008) are the others. All were picked in the first round of their respective drafts.

At local Canal Winchester High School, Mullens was named to the USA Today's 2008 All-USA boys basketball team and selected as a McDonald's and EASports All-American, as well as being named a first-team Parade All-American and a Jordan Brand All-American Classic selection. He averaged 27.4 points and 15.1 rebounds in his senior season en route to earning the Gatorade and RISE Magazine's Ohio Player of the Year Award. He was rated the best center in high school by Rivals.com and third nationally (overall) by Scout.com.

With a 71.2 shooting percentage from the field in 2008, Mullens earned MaxPreps third-team All-American honors and shared the honor of Ohio Co-Player of the Year with Ohio State teammate William Buford. He finished second to Buford in the Mr. Ohio Basketball voting. The Division II first-team All-State selection led Canal Winchester to a district title and two Mid-State League titles, as well as being named the league's Player of the Year twice.

Mullens lists his greatest sports thrill as setting a Canal Winchester scoring record after he recorded 62 points in a 79-69 victory vs. Our Savior New American (N.Y.). The point total ties for the 31st-best spot in Ohio high school single-game scoring records. In the past 25 years, Ohio State players have three of the top four Ohio high school single-game scoring totals -- Jon Dieber (77 points vs. Tiffin Columbian, 1/13/06), Mullens (62 points vs. Our Savior New American, 1/21/08) and Jay Burson (61 points vs. Crooksville, 1982-83).

In 2004, Mullens accepted a scholarship to Ohio State, which was the summer between Mullens' eighth and ninth grade year. He was a member of the 2008 McDonald's All-American Team and was a part of the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden, where he had 12 points and three rebounds.

Mullens played in 33 games at Ohio State in 2008-09, helping the team compile a 22-11 record. Coming off the bench, he provided the team with 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He shot 63.8 percent from the field (120-for-188) to set an Ohio State freshman record for accuracy. He also blocked 37 shots and scored 292 points. He struggled to achieve consistency throughout his lone season in Columbus. Unlike Koufos and Oden, Mullens started just two games, averaging 20.3 minutes per game, but he still earned the Big Ten Conference's Sixth Man of the Year Award.

While his team played in the same city as the Buckeyes during the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino weighed on Mullens and urged him to stick around for another year. "I heard that B.J. Mullens was going to go pro," Pitino said. "(That would) be the worst move the young man could ever make, because he's going to be a terrific pro. But sitting on an NBA bench during the course of the season ... If you're an NBA coach, you're not worried about that 10th, 11th, 12th man in developing him, you're worried about winning and surviving as a coach."

2008-09 SEASONBig Ten Conference All-Freshman Team selection...Played in 33 games, starting two contests...Scored 292 points (8.8 ppg), as he set the school overall single-season record (also the freshman record) by converting 63.8 percent of his field-goal attempts (120 of 188), as he added 52 of 93 free throws (55.9 percent) and missed on his only three-point attempt...Logged 671 minutes of action (20.3 mpg)...Pulled down 154 rebounds (4.7 rpg), as he blocked 37 shots (1.1 bpg), handed out nine assists and had 51 turnovers to go with 16 steals...Scored in double figures 16 times and registered his only double-double performance vs. Northwestern.

CAREER NOTESBefore playing in a game at Ohio State, William Buford and B.J. Mullens representedThe university and the nation's top high school recruits March 29, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee in the 2008 McDonald's All-American game, making them the sixth and seventh recruits from the Thad Matta era to play in that contest...Four McDonald's All-Americans were a part of Ohio State's 2006-07 squad - Ivan Harris, Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., and Daequan Cook...Other McDonald's All-Americans to attend Ohio State were Clark Kellogg (played in the 1979 game), Perry Carter (1987), Treg Lee (1987), Jim Jackson (1989), Charles Macon (1992), Greg Simpson (1992) and Kosta Koufos (2007)...Mullens set the school freshman and overall single-season record with a field-goal accuracy percentage of .638, topping the previous overall mark of .637 by Jerry Lucas (1959-60; 283 of 444) and the freshman record of .623 by Terence Dials (2001-02; 86 of 138)...Scored 292 points in 2008-09, as his 37 blocked shots rank sixth on the school freshman single-season record chart.

HIGH SCHOOLAttended Canal Winchester (Columbus, Oh.) High School...Named to the USA Today's 2008 All-USA boys basketball team and selected as a McDonald's and EA Sports All-American, as well as being named a first-team Parade All-American and a Jordan Brand All-American Classic selection...Averaged 27.4 points and 15.1 rebounds in his senior season en route to earning the Gatorade and RISE Magazine's Ohio Player of the Year Award...Rated the best center in high school by Rivals.com and third nationally (overall) by Scout.com...With a 71.2 shooting percentage from the field in 2008, Mullens earned MaxPreps third-team All-American honors and shared the honor of Ohio Co-Player of the Year with Ohio State teammate William Buford...Finished second to Buford in the Mr. Ohio Basketball voting...The Division II first-team All-State selection led Canal Winchester to a district title and two Mid-State League titles, as well as being named the league's Player of the Year twice...Lists his greatest sports thrill as setting a Canal Winchester scoring record after he recorded 62 points in a 79-69 victory vs. Our Savior New American (N.Y.). The point total ties for the 31st-best spot in Ohio high school single game scoring records.

INJURY REPORTNo injuries reported.

OTHER TOURNAMENTS/TEAMSSUMMER: Member of the 2008 McDonald's All-American Team and was a part of the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden, where he had 12 points and three rebounds.

PERSONALGeneral Studies major...In 2004, Mullens was offered and accepted a scholarship to Ohio State by the Buckeyes head basketball coach Thad Matta, which was the summer between Mullens' eighth and ninth grade year...Son of Barbara McKean and Paul Calhoun...Born 2/14/89...Resides in Columbus, Ohio.

SCOUTING REPORTPositives: Highly inconsistent, but for a player of his size he moves up and down the court quickly and uses his reach, length, wingspan and elevation to be a solid finisher under the basket, mostly due to his above average hands...Has developed effective back-to-the-basket scoring skills, as he can shoot from either hand under the net, showing a good touch, along with balance and body control to get the spacing needed to make his shot...Instinctive scorer with a valid NBA-ready body, using it well to establish his position working in the post...Displays impressive athleticism for a seven-footer, especially when he executes his jump shot...Has an outstanding wingspan (7'4") with large hands and long limbs, to go with explosive leaping ability crashing the boards for the rebounds... On the offensive glass, he shows a soft touch to feather the ball in or make a statement with a resounding dunk...Confident in utilizing his jump shot from 10-to-15 feet out, but is better served when he finishes strongly at the rim (converted 63.8 percent of his possessions when working inside)...Gets a bit lazy at times, but has the balance and foot quickness to provide perimeter defense...His offensive game will need to expand much more to compete at the NBA level, but he is quite effective scoring on pick-and-rolls and transition plays...Also does a good job elevating to get to the alley-oops tosses and shows enough mobility to finish when taking the dump-off toss in the lanes...His best asset right now is his ability to get open and finish under the basket...Light on his feet for a big man, keeping his balance on the move as he hurries down court on the fast break...Is also quick to get in position and establish his presence underneath, using his body well to box out an opponent...Did not do it often, but has decent shooting skills facing the basket, especially when coming off the perimeter...Will give up a side and let the slasher get past him, but generally uses his wingspan and footwork to stay in front of his man. And with 37 blocks, it is evident that he can contest shots...His defensive skills have yet to emerge, but he shows some alertness on the court and has improved his ability to be in position and make rotations when utilized in the zone...Lacks great reflexes, but has improved his timing to get up and block shots when the opponent dares to drive on him inside...Has explosive leaping ability and power, but needs to play with better aggression...His body is still maturing and his frame has enough room to carry at least another 20 pounds of bulk with no loss in quickness.

Negatives: Needs to play with better aggression and must improve his work ethic, as he appears to go through the motions at times, forcing the staff to keep him on a short leash (averaged just 13 minutes per game in tournament action)...Lacks offensive polish, as most of his scoring comes on pick-and-rolls, transition plays and dunks, lacking the advanced post moves you expect from a guy in the pivot...Has a very poor assist/turnover ratio (9 assists/51 turnovers) and gets into a lot of trouble, as defenders literally feed off him when he attempts to put the ball on the floor...Has a great wingspan, but needs to keep his hands inside his frame, as he sometimes looks like Chicken Little, flailing his arms around wildly, which leads to foul troubles...Has the strength to attack the boards for the rebound, but has to improve his angling to the basket and do a better job of elevating from a stationary position (better leaper when he has a running start)...Has poor court vision and is a big liability kicking the ball out as a passer...His free -hrow shooting needs a complete restructuring, but he does not seem to like the idea of putting in the long hours with a shooting coach that is needed to improve in this area...Appears lost in attempts to split double teams and has trouble focusing on taking his shot with a defender in his face.

Compares To: BRENDAN HAYWOOD, Washington -- Mullens is one of the biggest enigmas (literally) in this draft. It is a no-brainer that his offensive and defensive game is far from being NBA-ready. Whether it was the lure of the big dollars or no desire for college life, his decision to enter the draft is highly questionable. His size and nimble feet are what will entice an NBA team, but that general manager better have himself a long-term deal, because it might take even longer than that waiting for Mullens' overall game to develop.